Care Level: Advanced

Temperament: Aggressive

Live Plant Safe: With Caution

General Description: The Freshwater [FW] Fahaka Puffer, also known as the Lined or Nile Puffer, may be one of the most well-recognized giant freshwater pufferfish species in the hobby. Found in lakes and rivers of Africa, the Fahaka puffer’s body coloration is typically yellow and with several broad brownish stripes. Usually sold as mere juveniles at only a couple of inches, Fahaka puffers grow to an adult size of approximately 12″ to 15″, making this species a serious commitment in all aspects of aquatic husbandry (please see ‘Diet and Care Requirements’ below). Note: Fahaka puffers are known to have a risk of coming down with Ich. All of the Fahaka puffers for sale here at Aquatics Unlimited have gone through an observational period prior to sale to ensure you’re receiving healthy individuals.

Diet Requirements: In the wild Fahaka puffers are carnivorous, specifically molluscivores meaning that they consume various shellfish, snails, and clams. A diet made up of various high quality frozen foods is necessary, including pieces of mussel, crab or clam, bloodworms, brine shrimp, and earthworms. Options will vary depending on the size of your specimen. Puffers should be regularly fed snails, or other hard-shelled items, to ensure their teeth do not become overgrown which can cause health complications. Fahaka puffers are notorious for becoming greedy and will often learn to “beg” for food, but feeding only once a day should be exercised for juveniles. Adult specimens may only need to be fed a couple times a week. Do not feed any form of mammalian/poultry meat (e.g., beef or chicken) as certain lipids in these cannot be metabolized by your puffer and these food items do not naturally occur in their diet. Variety is the spice of life in order to maintain color, immune function and longevity of your puffer. This species may ignore freeze-dried foods.

Care Requirements: An established minimum 30 to 55 gallon aquarium is ideal for a single young Fahaka puffer to grow up in. Adults will require a 125 of larger once they are nearing adult size. This species should not be introduced into a biologically immature aquarium, as a Fahaka puffer is intolerable of nitrite or ammonia. Weekly water changes are necessary to keep water parameters favorable (Nitrates < 20 ppm), as these fish are messy eaters and larger specimens will produce a considerable amount of waste. Equipping the aquarium with a canister filter, or a sump system, could also make routine maintenance easier. A Fahaka puffer will be relatively indifferent to decor, especially as an adult, but some stacked rocks to create caves for younger specimens to hide, or driftwood, may add some pizzazz to the aquarium. A lot of unobstructed and open swimming space should be of priority, and the aquarium needs to be well oxygenated. A sandy or fine substrate is best because this species can spend a considerable amount of time resting on the bottom, especially after a meal. The Fahaka puffer is too aggressive to be kept with other livestock — it is one that truly does best as a solitary specimen. If a hobbyist wants to risk housing this species with other fish, the aquarium size would need to be several hundred gallons and tank mates should be too fast for a Fahaka puffer to catch. While a Fahaka puffer won’t seek to harm live plants, some may get damanged in their wake. Recommended water conditions, 74-78° F, KH 5-15, pH 7.0-8.0.

Purchase Size: Small: 3/4” to 1”

Note: Your item may not look identical to the image provided due to variation within species. Purchase sizes are approximate.